Antique Japanese book of 34 various woodblock prints. Each page vividly depicts a story, with bright color and exciting subjects. The outside is covered in brick red fabric with flowers. Size: 13.5" x 9" x .75"

19th Century, Boxwood Netsuke finely hand-carved and engraved boxwood netsuke depicting a squatting Karako (Chinese Boy), wearing the customary Chinese garb, hiding an Okame mask behind his back. He is doing the Bekkanko gesture, which tells us that he is playing a game with his friends where the objective is for other people to guess what he is hiding. Nice compact form; great expression and form details; nice mellow patina...

Hard to find, 19th Japanese articulated spiny lobster. Loss case method of solid copper. Each piece is meticulously cast and fitted with all 10 legs and long antenna. Fully articulated and movable, the lobster if fully splayed for viewing on a complex mounted stand.

For a similar example, see Meiji No Takara, Metalwork II, number 112.
Original eyes with no missing pieces...

Rare Japanese 7th Century Asuka Period Buddha of Paloma Wood. Beautiful patina and wood grain. The Asuka Period is known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, having their origins in the late Kofun period but largely affected by the arrival of Buddhism from China. The introduction of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa to Nihon...

Spectacular and dramatic Japanese Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso dancer, rooted in myth, religion, and rituals performed at Shinto shrines and the imperial court, rituals aimed at conjuring up the gods. Has articulated eyes, mouth and arms making an array of wonderful expressions. He is holding his bell rattle, wearing a silk costume and a lacquered hat, presented on a classic Bunraku Puppet stand. 25.5 inches (65cm) tall.

Antique Japanese book of 24 delightful woodblock prints, all with beautiful ladies in kimonos in various court scenes. The book can be read front or backwards and is covered by woven blue fabric with orange flowers. Most likely a gallery collection from the meiji period. Size : 9.5" x 7" x 1"

Exceptionally beautiful Japanese basket for ikebana (art of flower arranging). The handle is made with natural burl Cherry branch. The body is globular with large woven bamboo and a wide, flat rim. Perfect condition. Taisho Period (circa 1920's) Size: 18" height, 9.5" width

Know more for his works of powdery-blue celadon, on occasion Sozan also produced fine white porcelains as well. This delicately-crafted porcelain kashibachi (sweets bowl) is one such example. Displaying a wonderful low-relief vine and leaf pattern on a backdrop of nearly eggshell thin ivory-white porcelain—this is a rare and interesting composition by Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

Wonderful unusual round bronze suiban or ikebana flower vessel from the late Taisho Period c.1920. Subtle silver inlay fence and small flowers in relief. Excellent condition, no dents or cracks. 10" diameter and stands on tripod legs 2 1/2" tall. Ask for shipping quote.

Antique Japanese Solid keyaki (elm) low tansu from the Yonezawa region. The top long drawer has an iron locking plate in it center, incised with bamboo leaves, and two sliding doors below. Very heavy solid original piece. 100% original condition and finish. Meiji age (1868-1912) Size: 18.75" height, 34.25" width, 16.25" depth

Antique Japanese large oribe bowl with cream crackle glaze, short basket style handles with bright blue-green glaze dripping down the sides of the bowl, designs of wavy lines and dots along the rim, bold floral patterns on the interior, swirling pattern on the foot. A truly beautiful piece. 19th century. All original condition. Size: 7.25" height, 15.5" width

Beautiful antique Japanese Saki Ori vest made out of cotton reinforced with hemp stitching. Areas of indigo with red stitching have an effect to appear purple. Sashiko-stitched inset in the shoulder traditionally added to strengthen this part of the garment. Trim and hems are in flat indigo cotton. This type of vest was intended to be used in the mountains, for cutting and carrying wood for household use for charcoal...

Special autumn offer:

Another beautiful chawan from our familiy collection: square cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) tea bowl made of light, fine, unrefined Mino clay, with a flaring mouth in shape of a half pipe.

Shape and style make it appear contemporary with the late Oribe bowls. The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical black oniita engobe inside and outside - with the exception of the bottom - over which a white, feldspatic Shino glaze has been poured...

This lovely Ido-gata shaped chawan has very nice asymmetrical balance highlighted by extensive and skillfully applied kintsugi gold repairs...

A dish decorated in a Chinese literati style with a composition featuring principally a scholar’s refuge, Ting (Chinese), Teshi (Japanese ) beneath a rather curious gnarled tree with fan like foliage, presumably a Pine, and an auspicious ruyi (lingzhi) cloud pattern. This cloud motif, unki-zu, is essentially Chinese, xiangyun, relying on the homophone yun, yun, cloud, which sounds like yun, good luck or fortune, combined with Tian, heaven, so signifying heaven sent good luck...

A circular dish with slightly everted rim decorated with a landscape freize to the cavetto. The pattern is split into equal halves, by a zigzagging screen wall on one side, and an S shaped motif with ruyi cloud shaped motifs. The first portion of the design shows a pair of scholar’s playing Go sitting beneath a Bodri Tree set in a landscape with a scholar’s refuge cum tea house and oddly oversized autumn flowers, kikyo, bell flowers, and suisen, Japanese narcissus...

A circular dish with slightly everted rim decorated with a landscape freize to the cavetto. The pattern is split into equal halves, by a zigzagging screen wall on one side, and an S shaped motif with ruyi cloud shaped motifs. The first portion of the design shows a pair of scholar’s playing Go sitting beneath a Bodri Tree set in a landscape with a scholar’s refuge cum tea house and oddly oversized autumn flowers, kikyo, bell flowers, and suisen, Japanese narcissus...

This poem, inscribed with Rengetsu’s unmistakeable flowing calligraphic script, is set on a backdrop of colored washi paper decorated with gold flecks and intricate renderings of magical forest spirits. The spirits are drawn using “gofun”—a calcium carbonate powder obtained by heating and grinding oyster shells collected around the Inland Sea coast...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with cobalt blue design of waves and an array of scholar objects in mint green, lilac, yellow, and red glaze. Edges are decorated with "comb" design along foot. Underside has interesting signature mark of a budding flower. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Charming Antique Japanese box with large lid, lacquered red and black with mother of pearl inlay. Black lacquer mon of pine tree and writing in black, heavy iron hardware. Has original holes for tying top to bottom for travel. The inscription on both sides state the name of the confectioner. Trans: Confectioners Matsuzaka Asano Rokkado. Late Edo Period- Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 17" high x 16" wide x 13 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers. Beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back. From the Mikuni area in Japan. Edo Period (late 18th Century. Stunning original Condition. Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

The Hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian Period (794-1185), was preceded by Togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design, but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder. The lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design...

A moulded hexagonal bowl, hakkaku hachi, decorated to the exterior with an iron red ground inset with alternating reserves containing ribbon bound scrolls, makimono, and artemisin leaves, mogusa-ha, two of the Eight Chinese precious objects, Babao, hachitakara, and a band of stylised eight petal flowers, presumably Tessen the clematis flower, with leaves and pine branches. The interior divided into four brocade panels, each with a reserve containing, respectively auspicious Chrysanthemums and Ro...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pot...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with blue gourds hanging from a vine and two red flower buds with gilt pigment accents on the stem and around the bowl's rim. Blue butterflies decorate the outer edge and "comb" design along foot. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with scalloped rim to resemble a lotus, with blue cobalt florals designs along the outside and "comb" style design along the foot. The interior of the bowl has a black squirrel hunting for grapes. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 5.5" diameter, 2.25" height

Ca. early 1800s

This porcelain dish is in the shape of an abalone shell with underglaze blue and overglaze enamel decoration. It is raised on a low footring with an underglaze blue four character mark reading, “Made in the Great Ming.” There is minor glaze wear to the interior and minor firing flaws. There are no cracks or restorations.

Length: 6 3/8 in., Width: 5 3/8 in., Height: 1 ¼ in.

Finely drawn chrysanthemums on a field of ivory porcelain. The flowers are placed on the outside and inside edges of one half of the bowl drawing the eye away from the center and giving this piece a unique perspective.

Seifū Yohei IV, Seizan (1871-1951) was the second son of Seifū Yohei III (1851-1914) who was awarded the title of Teishitsu Gigeiin or “Imperial Court Artist” in 1893. He studied literati-style painting under Tanomura Shōsai (1845-1909)—a son of T...

19th Century, nicely hand-carved Ebony Netsuke depicting Ama, the Diving and Fisher Girl, standing with a basket on her back, accepting the advances of the amorous Octopus that is enveloping her legs with its tentacles and placing one of them in her private parts. The netsuke is unsigned. It measures 0.75 inches (1.9cm) wide, and 2.68 inches (6.8cm) tall. It is in excellent conditon, as may be seen in the posted photos.

A stunning two section Japanese tansu from the Yonezawa region, made with Kuri (chestnut) front and Sugi (cedar) burl frame. The iron hardware is highly decorative with floral elements and incised cherry blossom mon (family crest) into each round lock plate, as well as attractive mokko "melon" style handles for each drawer. Top section has side lockbox with two drawers within. Beautiful lacquer finish. 19th century. Size: 38" height, 42" width, 18" depth

Antique Japanese large carved wooden tray, natural form and curled edges reminiscent of a lotus leaf, beautifully sculptured, late Meiji/early Taisho Period. Size: 24 1/2" wide x 15 1/2" wide x 1" deep.

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with keyaki wood on drawer fronts, highly raised and incised black iron hardware including elaborate lock plates in the form of large peony blossoms and scrolling leaves. Moko shaped Iron drawer pulls incised with tiny flowers, 4 large drawers, 2 small exterior drawers. A safe box on the right side has beautifully ornate hardware in a peony motif. 2 small interior drawers also with keyaki wood and finished to match th...

Wonderful hand shaped Tanba chawan, made 80 - 100 years ago. The tea bowl is well balanced and has a perfect shape.

No chips or cracks.

The bottom is signed. Good Wabi Sabi aura. Great!

Size: 6,5 cm height x 11,7 cm in diameter.

Tanba-yaki pottery originated approximately 800 years ago and has played an essential role in people’s daily lives, as well as becoming sought after as artwork in recent years.

Its distinguishing feature is its simplici...

An interesting all original Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket with a wide, flat woven body and a gnarled root handle. The inside of the basket is lined with a removable bronze dish. True work of art. Meiji age (1868 - 1912) Size: 13.25" height, 16" diameter

This extraordinary piece depicting two shishi guardian lions locked in playful combat, is done in fine white porcelain from the Arita region of Japan.

Guardian lions (alternately known as Shishi, Foo-dogs, or Koma-inu) were introduced to Japan in the 8th century and are often seen outside shrine gates or adorning rooftop shingles. When seen in pairs, one typically has its mouth open (the male) while the other’s is shut (the female). This is no coincidence, but rather Buddhist sym...

A tazza, pedestal dish, with a Satsuma type earthenware, stoneware, body decorated almost entirely with totai cloisonné. The dish decorated with a snowflake shaped, yukiwa, roundel containing various autumn flowers, akikusa, set against a lilac coloured ground, set against a blue cloissone ground inset with flowers and butterflies. The reverse of the dish decorated with further butterflies, flowers and cash set against a blue cloisonné ground. Lilac ground cloisonné to the stand column. The s...